User manual BEHRINGER MDX1400

[. . . ] MDX1400 Users Manual Version 1. 4 June 2001 D AUTOCOM PRO ® www. behringer. com ENGLISH AUTOCOM PRO MDX1400 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the cover (or back). No user serviceable parts inside; refer servicing to qualified personnel. WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture. This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage inside the enclosurevoltage that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock. This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to important operating and maintenance instructions in the accompanying literature. [. . . ] Ratios greater than 6:1 effectively prevent the output level from significantly exceeding the threshold point (provided that the OUTPUT control is in the 0 dB position). Please note that the compression of the entire program material (achieved by low threshold settings) sounds less natural with higher ratio settings. Ratio settings in the range of 4:1 and lower, effect the dynamics of the program material less and are often used to compress the sound of a bass guitar, a snare drum or a vocal. Sensitive and moderate settings are generally used in mixing and for levelling of program material in broadcast. 14 3. APPLICATIONS AUTOCOM PRO MDX1400 Output Threshold Gain 0 dB Ratio 2:1 Hard Knee Ratio 4:1 Limiter oo:1 IKA Curve Input Fig. 3. 2: IKA characteristic of the compressor section The new IKA (Interactive Knee Adaptation) circuit prevents aggressive compression, created by high ratios, from sounding too unnatural. This is achieved with an interactive control function, which begins above the threshold level and introduces a Soft Knee curve characteristic in the range up to 10 dB above the threshold point. Beyond this range, the signal is subjected to linear (Hard Knee) compression. With the threshold control completely turned to the right, the threshold value is +20 dB. Since such a value will not be reached in practice, you can use it to disable the compressor section and work exclusively with the expander/gate and dynamic enhancer circuits. + 3. 3. 1 Initial Settings For The Compressor Section Control IN/OUT switch SC EXT switch SC MON switch INTERACTIVE switch SC FILTER switch THRESHOLD control RATIO control AUTO switch OUTPUT control Setting IN OUT OUT IN OUT +20 dB 3:1 IN 0 dB Tab. 3. 2: Initial settings for the compressor section Rotate the THRESHOLD control counterclockwise until an appropriate amount of gain reduction is indicated on the GAIN REDUCTION meter. This operation will be accompanied by an audible drop in output level. The OUTPUT control should now be turned clockwise to reinstate the output level. The level of the unprocessed and the processed signal can be compared by pressing the I/O METER switch and observing the INPUT/OUTPUT LEVEL meter. Final adjustments of the controls can then be made to suit your particular requirements, including the RATIO, ATTACK and RELEASE controls. The AUTO function of the attack and release times, provides program dependent dynamic processing which suits most standard uses. If a condensed or wider sound processing technique is required, the attack and release times can also be manually adjusted. APPLICATIONS 15 AUTOCOM PRO MDX1400 The experienced user will be in a position to specify parameters while in bypass mode and thus realize the effect before the unit is actually switched into operation. This is important in live situations, where a signal needs to be managed efficiently by the engineer, without the convenience of continual A/B comparison. For using the AUTOCOM PRO as a Limiter, you should set RATIO to oo:1, INTERACTIVE to off and use short Attack and max. 3. 3. 2 The AUTOCOM PRO As A Sound Effects Unit In the early 1960s, musicians began looking at the recording process as a way to create new sounds. The pumping effect which had been avoided by earlier engineers suddenly became fashionable and was utilized as a creative tool, laying the groundwork for many of the sounds which are now considered indispensable in contemporary music. [. . . ] To obtain warranty service, the buyer (or his authorized dealer) must call BEHRINGER (see enclosed list) during normal business hours BEFORE returning the product. Subsequently, the product must be returned in its original shipping carton, together with the return authorization number to the address indicated by BEHRINGER. Warranty services will be furnished only if the product is accompanied by a copy of the original retail dealers invoice. Any product deemed eligible for repair or replacement by BEHRINGER under the terms of this warranty will be repaired or replaced within 30 days of receipt of the product at BEHRINGER. [. . . ]